Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Your best weekly list for parties, nightlife, social, and cultural events in Charlotte. This isn’t intended to be a complete list of everything that's going on, but instead are the events GPT recommends.

May 21-23SpeedCentreThe EpiCentre is getting in on the action this year in celebration of this weekend’s NASCAR race. Although it is essentially copying off of Speed Street (live music and driver appearances, but they’re having Dale Earnhardt Jr.), you can enjoy this replica at the EpiCentre’s most popular nightspots: Suite, Whisky River, StrikeCity, BlackFinn, Pavilion, and Penthouse. Visit website for schedule. Free. EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St. www.speedcentrecharlotte.com.

Tuesday, May 19

Touch One Tuesdays (weekly event)Come and enjoy open mic poetry and live music. Hosted by Filmore, with DJ Flemingo on the turntables. Presented by Touch One Productions. 9 p.m. $10 ($5 with college ID). Wine Up, 3306 N. Davidson St. www.wine-up.com.

Wednesday, May 20

Changing Times...Changing MindsThe topic of this month's community conversation and cocktail reception is "Providing and Paying for Infrastructure: The Impact of Growth on Communities." Local experts will discuss how to handle both existing demand and future growth. Panelists include Todd Mansfield, chairman and CEO of Crosland; Ned Curran, president and CEO of The Bissell Companies; and Danny Pleasant, director of the Charlotte Department of Transportation; moderated by Dr. Steven Ott, professor and director of the Center for Real Estate at UNC Charlotte. 6 p.m. Free. Levine Museum of the New South, 200 E. Seventh St. www.museumofthenewsouth.org.

Pop Life (weekly event)It’s the most popular social networking event on a Wednesday night. Starts after work but runs past midnight. Music this week by DJ DR. Presented by Creative Loafing and The Sol Kitchen. 6 p.m.-1 a.m. Free. Apostrophe Lounge, 1440 S. Tryon St. www.apostrophelounge.com.

Trivia NightIt’s the kickoff of trivia night at this south Charlotte restaurant and bar, hosted by Larken Egleston. Test your general knowledge and compete for prizes like buckets of beer and gift cards. Plus it’s Wednesday, which means half-price bottles of wine. 8-11 p.m. Free. The Tavern On Park, 1600 Woodlawn Rd. www.thetavernonpark.com.

Thursday, May 21

Cufflinks and CocktailsPresented by Charlotte’s Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity alumni, this event is held at a different bar each month. Come mingle with a group of well-dressed professionals, from 20- to 40-somethings. Drink and appetizer specials will be served. 6-10 p.m. Free. Blue Restaurant and Bar, 214 N. Tryon St. (corner of Fifth and College streets). www.cufflinksandcocktails.com.

Crips and Bloods: Made In AmericaSee a screening of this provocative film about gang life, narrated by Forest Whitaker. Following the film will be a discussion about Charlotte’s increase in gang membership among young people and how you can get involved in our community gang prevention coalition, Gang of One. Presented by GenerationEngage. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Johnson C. Smith University, Biddle Hall, 100 Beatties Ford Rd. www.generationengage.org/state/chltt.

Friday, May 22

Barack and Curtis: Manhood, Power, and RespectThis short film examines the contrasting styles of manhood exhibited by President Barack Obama and rapper/entertainment mogul Curtis Jackson aka 50 Cent. Two other short films will be shown, I Am Sean Bell and Reflections. Presented by Reel Soul Cinema. 7 p.m. $8. Afro-American Cultural Center, 401 N. Myers St. www.aacc-charlotte.org.

Summer NightsCome dressed to impress at this party that’s sure to be live from the bar to the patio and look for many of Charlotte’s movers and shakers among the mostly 30-and-older crowd (25-and-up are welcomed). Music by DJ Daddy D. Presented by Digital Divas. 10 p.m. $10 in advance, more at the door. Sunset Club, 1820 South Blvd. www.digitaldivasevents.com.

Saturday, May 23

Coca-Cola 600It’s NASCAR’s longest race of the season and one of the most exciting as many of the drivers compete in front of the home crowd. The 50th running of this race also provides plenty of pre-race entertainment as they pay tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces during Memorial Day weekend. 5:45 p.m. $10-$125. Lowe’s Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy. South, Concord. www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.

Pre-Memorial Day List PartyTo show appreciation to its supporters, Six Figure Entertainment is letting members of its email list in free until 11:30. Music by DJ Flemingo. 9:30 p.m. Visit website to join the list. Loft 1523, 1523 Elizabeth Ave. www.sixfigureentertainment.com.

A Night in XSThe popular promoters of “premium professional nightlife” are throwing a party featuring bongo players and belly dancers in addition to your favorite hip-hop and R&B spun by DJs. Presented by Inner Circle Events. 10 p.m. $15 in advance, more at the door. Cosmo’s Café, 300 N. College St. www.innercircleevents.com.